Dragon introduces the new Shadow Collection for 2015. A grouping of three silhouettes (the DS1, DS2 and Mansfield) that are based on their frameless lens technology.

. . . the Shadow Collection. . . a unique shield lens that creates a sleek, sophisticated aesthetic. This is combined with hand-made, Italian crafted frames and the assurance of the premium quality Dragon is known for. The name aside, this distinctive collection is for those looking to set themselves apart from the crowd.

When the World Surf League wants to project success they’ll invite potential sponsors to their newly renovated Santa Monica, California offices where Malibu design build firm Classical Progression, Inc. just gave the place a complete “surfer” make over, according to a story in Malibu Business.

Just steps from the surf in Santa Monica, the newly renovated, vintage bow-truss warehouse boasts business and creative office space for 50, a fully-equipped professional sound stage for its on-site broadcasting of worldwide competitions, a café with beer on tap, a game room with 24-hour live, surf video footage, and an on-site gym, complete with his and her locker rooms, all designed in a sophisticated surfer vibe. Professional surfers are welcome.

Those who have followed WSL CEO Paul Speaker’s career will not be surprised. It seems a newly renovated office is where he does his best work.

Matix Clothing says they are proud to welcome surfer Matt Pagan to their team.

A Los Angeles native with a thirst for chasing waves, charging in any type of surf, and a positive attitude that is infectious. We are certain that this will not be the last time you see Matts powerful surfing style come across the pages of your favorite surf publication or surf website, take note!

Sometimes slipping your feet into a wet, cold wetsuit can be more difficult than paddling out into overhead surf. Yeah, we know how that sounds, but if you know, then you know. That’s why this new Kickstarter project caught our attention.

Wetsox is the only thin, four-way stretch sock built just for slipping in and out of your surf gear in seconds. . . Wetsox are made from a premium nylon, Lycra, Spandex blend, so they’re quick-dry and smooth on your skin. Wearing WETSOX will also lengthen the life of your surf gear because it eliminates the need to pull, tug, yank, stretch, and do awkward yoga poses to get it off.

Wetsox founder Bryan Marville was tired of continually yanking, pulling, and stretching his wetsuit on so he developed Wetsox. If you like the idea you can back it right now on Kickstarter. Bryan hopes to raise $15,000 in 38 days.

The New York Times checks in with Paul Speaker and the ZoSea Media Holdings crew to get their spin on plans for World Surf League web broadcasting and the new 6,000 square foot production studio in their Santa Monica, California headquarters. Not surprisingly, according to WSL data the WSL is doing very well on everything digital and social as far as percentages go.

In making everything available online, the W.S.L. has solidified its growth in a key demographic: More than 67 percent of its audience is between 25 and 44 years old. Engagement across their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts nearly doubled, while simultaneously dwarfing engagement rates of larger, more established leagues. The N.F.L.’s Facebook page has some 12.5 million likes compared with the surfing league’s 2.3 million likes. Yet the engagement that the league has per post — likes, comments and shares — is on par with the N.F.L., according to data provided by the organization.

Well, this will make you feel like an old industry salt: The Surf Industry Manufacturers’ Association & Board Retailers’ Association is hosting their 18th Annual Surf Summit at the Barcelo Grand Faro in San Jose Del Cabo, BCS, Mexico May 13-16, 2015. Eighteenth? Seriously? Well, if you work in the surf industry mark it on your calendars and please, please, please don’t read too much into the fact that the Surf Summit 18 logo features a skeleton in surf trunks. It’s only a cool graphic. Seriously.

Kelly Slater and RVCA ANP artist Kevin Ancell got together on a project called #ThePod, which pays homage to the movie Blackfish and friends who have passed.

“After watching the movie Blackfish, I was so moved and perturbed with the wild captures and captive breeding of the Orcas that I felt compelled to paint my boards to mimic their markings,” Slater says. “Kevin and I had been thinking about something we could do together for a couple of years and we happened to be on a trip together just as the idea occurred. So the first board we did was painted in Kevin’s word art to say “Blackfish.” Kevin initially saw it as my project, but asked if he could start adding some of his color into the messaging and the second board was painted in the DFW tag.”

They exhibited at Pow! Wow! Hawaii last Friday, February 13, 2015 in a show that was curated by RVCA Founder, PM Tenore. And we missed it.

Surfer Tadashi Nakahara died this morning (Monday, February 9, 2015) after being hit by a shark while surfing Shelly Beach in Ballina, Australia, according to a story on ABC.net.au. He was 41.

“We believe he was surfing with up to four men, two were very close to him, they rendered assistance and brought him to shore,” he said. . . “Two other surfers paddled in to help out and help with the injuries. . . “Unfortunately they could not stop the bleeding and at this stage we believe he died of blood loss. . . “He had leg injuries and they were substantial, they were injuries that led to a significant loss of blood.”

Nakahara was a well loved member of the local surf industry and was working as a distributor for Webster Surfboards. Our thoughts are with Nakahara’s family and friends.

Fergal Smith came up surfing some of the world’s largest, coldest, most raw waves. He could have moved away from Ireland but he didn’t. He stayed home in County Clare and is making a surf life there.

Having grown up on an organic vegetable farm in Ireland, Fergal learned the importance of family, food and a healthy lifestyle from a young age. Despite travelling far and wide in search of waves, Fergal remains true to his roots and continues to live in Ireland to this day having established a community garden on his farm Moy Hill.

This short film by Desillusion’s Pierre David delves into Smith’s life and times and is well worth the eight minutes.